University of Toronto WearComp Linux Project

Dr. Mann describes his WearComp (“Wearable Computer”) invention and how it has evolved into the same kind of philosophical basis for self determination and mastery over one's own destiny that is characteristic of the Linux operating system that currently runs on WearComp.

Solution to Software Fascism

The first solution to these problems is a framework called
Completely Open Source, Headers, Engineering, and Research
(COSHER). Before investing considerable time in learning how to use
new software and in developing works for that new software, which
may then become locked into a particular file
format, we ask ourselves a very simple question: is the software in
question COSHER?

This means that there has been no deliberate attempt at
obfuscation of the underlying principles of the operation of this
software or in preventing us from freely distributing the
intellectual foundations upon which we may invest many years of our
lives. Deliberate attempts at obfuscation include such practices as
eliminating source code and stripping executable task
images.

By using COSHER software, we are making a statement that we
prefer Computer Science to Computer Secrecy. Science supports the
basic principles of peer review, a continued development and
advancement of software principles and principles that we build on
top of the software.

Moreover, the time we invest in learning the software as well
as creating works in the software will be less likely to go to
waste if we have a copy of the complete source code of the
software. In this manner, should the software ever become
discontinued or unsupported, we will be able to become our own
software support group and migrate the software forward to new
architectures as our old computers become obsolete. If it is
COSHER, chances are we will be less likely to lose the many hours
or years we invest in producing works within the software.
Furthermore, if we make new discoveries that are built on a
foundation of COSHER software, they are easier to
distribute.

In science, it is important that others be able to reproduce
our results. Imagine what it would be like if we had built our
results on top of DOS 3.1. Others would have to either rewrite our
software to exactly reproduce our results, or find an old version
of DOS 3.1. Since this is proprietary software, we are not at
liberty to freely distribute it with our research, but it is also
no longer available for purchase. However, if we had built our work
on COSHER software such as Linux 1.13, we can include a full
distribution of Linux 1.13 in an archive together with our results.
Many years in the future, a scientist wishing to reproduce our
results could then obtain a virtual machine (emulator for our
specific architecture which will no doubt be obsolete by then) and
install the COSHER operating system (Linux 1.13) that came with our
archive, then compile and run our programs.

The Linux operating system is a good example of a COSHER
operating system. GNU software is also COSHER. Many COSHER software
packages are available, including GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation
Program) and the VideoOrbits software package (described in
http://wearcam.org/orbits/index.html).

Solution to Environmental Intelligence
Gathering

I propose a computational framework for individual personal
empowerment. This framework is based on my “WearComp”
invention—an apparatus for (embodiment of) realization of
HI.

This framework involves designing a new kind of personal
space. An embodiment of the “WearComp” invention is an apparatus
that is owned, operated and controlled by the occupant of that
space. In one sense, the apparatus of this invention is like a
building built for one occupant and collapsed down around that one
occupant.

WearComp as a Basis for HI

I invented WearComp in Canada in the 1970s as a photographic
tool for the visual arts (see Resources 5), in particular,
something I called “mediated reality” (altered perception of
visual reality). The goal of mediated reality, unlike related
concepts such as virtual (or augmented) reality, was to reconfigure
(augment, deliberately diminish or otherwise alter) the perception
of reality in order to attain a heightened awareness of how
ordinary, everyday objects respond to light.

HI is a new form of human-computer interaction comprising a
computer that is subsumed into the personal space of the user
(e.g., the computer may be worn, hence the term “user” and
“wearer” of the computer are interchangeable), controlled by the
wearer, with both operational and interactional constancy (e.g., it
is always on and always ready and accessible [see Resources
6]).

The WearComp invention, described in IEEE Computer, Vol. 30,
No. 2 at http://wearcomp.org/ieeecomputer.htm (a historical account
was given in IEEE ISWC-97, October 1997 and is also on-line at
http://wearcomp.org/historical/index.html) forms the basis for HI.
The evolution of the apparatus of this invention is depicted in
Figure 1.

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